Time-controlled lighting switch



' 1,638,604 9 1927" B. A; TAROMlNO TIME CONTROLLED LIGHTING SWITCH Filed Jan' 19, 1925 v grwani'o'o v ,3 1% ram i770 Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITED STATES assen PATENT OFFICE.

TIME-CONTROLLED Application filed January This invention relates to improvements in time controlled lighting means and is more particularly adapted to a mechanism for automatically lighting the parking light on an automobile.

()ne of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a time controlled lighting switch of the above mentioned character, which is adapted to be associated with W a clock which is mounted on the automobile in any convenient place whereby a person may set the time at which the switch is to be automatically turned on for lighting the parking light of the automobile.

A further object is to provide a time con trolled lighting switch of the above mentioned character wherein the usual. alarm operating shaft of a clock mechanism is employed for actuating the switch to turn the same on whereby the circuit to the parking light of an automobile will be automatically completed at a predetermined time, additional means being provided for breaking the circuit whenever it is so desired.

morals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a viewpartly in section of the switch mechanism embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the end of the casing showing the manually operated member mounted thereon and Figure 3 isa sectional. view through the casing and through the rotatable fiber bit.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred em.- bodiment of my invention the numeral 1 designates generally an alarm clock of any well known construction, the same being adapted to be secured on an automobile in any desirable place whereby ready access thereto may be had. The usual alarm actuating shaft or arbor of the clock mechanism is illustrated at 2. A spiral gear 3 is mounted on the shaft or arbor 2 and the purpose A still further object is to provide a time LIGHTING swrrcn.

19, 1925. Serial No. 3,472.

thereof will hereinafter be more fully de scribed. The dial associated with the usual alarm mechanism of the clock is illustrated at l andthc indicator cooperating therewith is illustrated at 5.

A casing (3 extends outwardly from the side of the clock and is substantiall rectangular in cross section as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. A substantially rectangular shaped block of insulating material such as fiber or the like and indicated by the numeral? isdisposed within the casing 6 adjacent the outer closed end 8 thereof. The fiber block 7. is provided with an enlarged central opening 9 as clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

Suitable binding posts 10 and 11 extend through the upper and lower portions of the fiber block 7 and the casing 6. Stationary contacts 12 and 13 are associated with the inner opposed ends of the binding posts, the same being arranged in suitable cut out portions provided therefor in the block 7 adjacent the opening 9 so that the inner faces of the stationary contacts will conform to the shape of and lie flush with the face of the opening. The binding post 10 is connected to a suitable source of elcctric energy designated at 14 by the wire 15. Arranged in the same circuit is the parking s5 lamp 16 and the same is connected to the binding post 11 by the wiring 17. The usual. knurled nuts 18 are detachablv associated with the outer end of the binding post for the purposes well known in the art.

Extending centrally through the cover or outer end 8 of the casing 6 is the shaft 19. A circular fiber disc 20 is secured on the inner end of the shaft and is adapted for rotation within the opening 9 provided in the fiber block 7 it being understood that the disc 20 is of a diameter less than the diameter of the opening 9. The fiber disc 20 is provided with the central bore 21. A pair of movable contacts 22 and 23 aredis- 100 posed in the opposite ends of the bore 20.

A coil spring 2 1 is arranged within the central bore 21 between the inner adjacent ends of the contacts 22 and 23 and normally urges the same outwardly so that the same 105 will engage the inner face of the stationary fiber block 7, the same being further adapted for engagement with the stationary contacts 12 and 13 respectively in the manner to be presently apparent.

A drive shaft 25 extends through the side of the clock 1 and the outer end thereof is disposed within the casing 6. A spiral gear 26 is provided on the inner end of the drive v head 27 into engagement with the conical recess 28, a nut 30 being threaded on the threaded portion for adjusting the tension of the coil spring 29. This construction provides what may be termed as a clutch for operatively associating the disc with the drive shaft so that the former may be rotated by the latter at the proper time.

A handle 31 is secured on theonter end of the shaft 19. A pointer 32,is associated with the handle. Suitable indicia is printed on the outer face of the outer end 8 of the easing at predetermined places whereby the pointer 32 cooperates therewith in indicating to a person whether or not the switch mechanism is on or ofi'.

Assuming that the contacts 22 and 23 are out of engagement with the contacts 12 and 1.3 respectively, whereby the circuit to the parking light- 15 is open or broken, the hour or time at which it is desired to light a parking lamp is set by setting the usual indicator at the desired hour on thedial a in the usual manner. As soon as the time at which the indicator 5 has been set is reached, the shaft 2 will rotate simultaneously causing movement to be imparted to the drive shaft through the spiral gearing heretofore described and the drive shaft 25 will in turn rotate the disc 20 and the shaft 19 on which the same is supported so as to move the contacts 22 and 23 into engagement with the stationary contacts 12 and 13. This will complete the circuit to the lamp 16 and thereby cause the parking light to be automatica-lly lit. The parking light may be turned oil by a person turning the handle 31 to either direction whereby the disc 20 will be rotated and causing the movable contact to, be brought out of engagement with the stationary contact. The indicia rinted on the outer end 8 of the casing wil assist the person in ascertaining whether or not the switch is turned on or oil.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that a time controlled lighting switch has been provided for use in connection with the parking light of an automobile which is controlled by the usual alarm shaft. of a clock, the simplicity in which my device is constructed renders the same positive and ellicientin its operation at all times.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various ehanges in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the in vcntion and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what 1 claim is In a switch of the classdescribed a casing, a stationary block of insulating material in said casing, the same being provided with an enlarged central opening, stationary contacts arranged at diametricall opposite points in the stationary block an extending into the opening, a rotatable disc arranged within the central opening of the stationary block, a pair of diametrically opposed contacts carried by the disc and adapted for cooperation with the stationary contacts, and means for effecting the rotation of the disc, said meanscomprising a drive shaft, a conical head on the outer end thereof, the rear face of the disc having a conical recess formed therein for cooperation with the aforementioned conical head, and a coil spring associated with the shaft for holding the conical head, in engagement with the conical recess.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BENNIE A. TAROMINO. 

